JP2001339489A - Information transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To actualize an information transmission device which is convenient in portage and eliminates the need to carry plural memory cards for image recording by integrating a digital still video camera with a portable telephone. SOLUTION: This device has a digital still video camera part 10 having a photography part which converts an optical image into electric image information and a recording part which records the electric image information obtained by the photography part as digital data, a portable telephone part 20 which has a radio telephone call function, a bus 1 to which the digital video camera part and portable telephone part are connected in common, and one control part 2 which is connected to the bus 1; and the control part 2 controls the operation of the digital video camera part 10 and also controls the operation of the portable telephone part 20 to control at least the radio transmission of the image information obtained by the digital still video camera part 10 from the portable telephone part 20 to a remote place.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information transmission apparatus, and more particularly, to an information transmission apparatus in which a digital still video camera and a portable telephone are integrated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of transmitting image information, for example, a method of transferring a packet using ISDN using a telephone line (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 3-216094) or a method of assigning an ID number to a specific reproduction unit A method of distributing and transferring (JP-A-3-255794) and the like are known.

Meanwhile, still video cameras are shifting from the analog recording system to the digital recording system. As a recording medium, a memory card, a microminiature hard disk, and the like are considered. However, these recording media are still expensive, and their capacity is not enough to record images for a long period of time. For this reason, after shooting
Re-store on a large-capacity recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk,
A method of reusing the card has been considered.

[0004]

However, it is inconvenient to use a card as described above for photographing in a remote place, and it is necessary to carry a plurality of expensive memory cards. The advantage of digitizing image information is that images can be sent from a remote location without deterioration and can be easily imported into a computer.However, transmission devices and input devices to a computer are now independent and are not portable. Inconvenient. In addition, there is a problem that transmission can be performed only between the same models.

On the other hand, in the field of wireless telephone communication, 1993
The use of portable information terminals is planned to be implemented after 2010, and the development of wireless devices and networks is being considered accordingly. As a communication method of a wireless network, a cellular phone (also referred to as a cellular phone), which is a next-generation mobile phone, is dominant. This mobile phone has a low output voltage, so it is easy to miniaturize it and integrate it with other devices. Can be considered. In addition, since it can be connected to a general line, services such as existing personal computer communication can also be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and by integrating a digital still video camera and a portable telephone, it is convenient to carry and does not need to carry a plurality of memory cards for image recording. It is intended to provide an information transmission device.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a photographing section for converting an optical image into electric image information, and a recording apparatus for recording the electric image information photographed by the photographing section as digital data. A digital still video camera unit, a mobile phone unit having a wireless communication function, a bus connecting the digital still video camera unit and the mobile phone unit in common, and a bus connected to the bus.
And a control unit for controlling the operation of the digital still video camera unit and controlling the operation of the mobile phone unit. At least one image obtained by the digital still video camera unit is provided. It is characterized in that control for wirelessly transmitting information from the mobile phone unit to a remote place is performed.

In the present invention, the digital still video camera unit and the portable telephone unit are integrated via a bus, and the operation is controlled by one control unit. Therefore, the image information captured by the digital still video camera unit can be wirelessly transmitted to a remote location using the mobile phone unit as needed. Since image information can be transmitted wirelessly, it is not necessary to store all image information in a memory card.
Therefore, there is no need to carry a plurality of memory cards for image recording. In addition, since these controls are performed by a single control unit, the control between the two control units is different from the case where a control unit for controlling the digital still video camera unit and a control unit for controlling the mobile phone unit are separately provided. This eliminates the need to exchange and synchronize data, which simplifies control and reduces costs.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a digital still video camera unit for digitally reading image information;
Reference numeral 1 denotes a cellular telephone unit serving as a mobile telephone unit having a wireless communication function; 1 denotes a bus to which the digital still video camera unit 10 and the cellular telephone unit 20 are commonly connected;
And the digital still video camera unit 10
And one control unit for controlling the operation of the cellular telephone unit 20.

[0010] In the device configured as described above, the digital still video camera unit 10 and the cellular telephone unit 20 are integrated via the bus 1. Therefore, the image information obtained by the digital still video camera unit 10 can be wirelessly transmitted from the cellular telephone unit 20 to a remote location as needed. As a result, there is no need to record the image information obtained by the digital still video camera unit 10 on a memory card.
Further, since a cellular phone, which is a next-generation mobile phone, is used as the wireless communication means, it is convenient to carry.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As is apparent from the figure, the digital still video camera unit 10 and the cellular telephone unit 20 are integrated via the bus 1. The operation of the digital still video camera unit 10 and the cellular telephone unit 20 is controlled by the CPU 2 as one control unit.
Reference numeral 3 denotes an input unit for inputting a telephone number, various commands, and the like, and 4 denotes a display unit for displaying various information. As the input unit 3,
For example, a key group including numeric keys and function keys is used.

In the digital still video camera section 10, reference numeral 11 denotes a CCD as a photographing section for converting an optical image into electrical image information; 12, an A / D converter for converting the output of the CCD 11 into digital data; A signal processing circuit that receives an output of the A / D converter 12 and converts the output into a television signal or a signal such as R, G, B, or the like. Reference numeral 14 denotes a memory control circuit that receives an output of the signal processing circuit 13, and 15 denotes a frame memory that stores an output of the signal processing circuit 13 under the control of the memory control circuit 14. The frame memory 15 stores image information of one screen unit.

A compression / expansion circuit 16 reads and compresses the image data stored in the frame memory 15 and expands the input compressed image data. A reference numeral 17 denotes a recording unit for recording image information as digital data. A memory card 18 is a memory card interface (I / F) for controlling writing and reading of information to and from the memory card 17. The components 12 to 16 and 18 constitute storage means for storing image information in the memory card 17. Further, the memory card interface 18 constitutes a judging means for judging the presence or absence of an unrecorded area of the memory card 17. Memory card interface 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes the image information in the memory card 17 and the cellular telephone unit 2
0 constitutes a transmission means. Memory card 1
7 stores, for example, 30 pieces of image information (frames).

In the cellular telephone section 20, reference numeral 21 denotes a transfer memory as temporary storage means for temporarily storing image information transmitted from the digital still video camera section 10, and reference numeral 22 denotes storage means for storing destination information. As a destination registration memory. 23 is a PCM codec for performing mutual conversion between analog signals and digital signals,
This is a PCM codec / tone ringer unit including a tone ringer that outputs a tone ringer. 23a is this PCM
A microphone connected to the codec / tone ringer unit 23,
A speaker 23b is connected to the PCM codec / tone ringer unit 23.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an ADPC for compressing and demodulating audio.
It is an M conversion unit. The ADPCM conversion unit 24 compresses when transmitting an audio signal, and demodulates when receiving an audio signal. Reference numeral 25 denotes a time division multiple access control unit for assembling / disassembling audio data, control data, image data, and the like into a time division multiple frame. The time division multiple access control unit 25 constantly exchanges identification numbers (IDs) with the radio base station. The time division multiple access control unit 25 also has a function as a position detecting unit that detects a current position based on communication information of the cellular telephone unit.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a modem for modulating / demodulating a transmission signal; 27, a wireless unit connected to the modem 26 for wirelessly communicating information; and 28, an antenna for wireless transmission.
The CPU 2 constitutes selection means for selecting a destination from a list of destinations stored in the destination registration memory 22 based on information from the time division multiple access control unit 25. The modem 26 and the radio unit 27 are connected to one CPU 2
The transmission means for transmitting the image information in the transfer memory 21 based on the information from. The components described above can mutually transfer information via the bus 1. The operation of the device configured as described above will be described below.

The optical image formed on the CCD 11 is
The data is converted into electrical image information, and then converted into digital data by the A / D converter 12. The digital image data enters the signal processing circuit 13 and is subjected to signal processing.
After the signal processing, the signal is temporarily stored in the frame memory 15 via the memory control circuit 14.

The image information stored in the frame memory 15 is sent to a compression / expansion circuit 16 via a memory control circuit 14, where the image is compressed. The compressed image information is recorded on the memory card 17 via the memory card interface 18. These series of operations are performed by the CPU
2 is controlled.

In the process of storing image information in the memory card 17 under the control of the CPU 2, the memory card interface 18 constantly monitors how much unrecorded area of the memory card 17 is present. Then, when the memory card interface 18 detects that the unrecorded area has been exhausted, the memory card interface 18 notifies the CPU 2 of the fact.

When the CPU 2 receives this notification, the CPU 2
A warning sound is issued via the codec / tone ringer unit 23. At the same time, the CPU 2 activates the memory card interface 18 and transfers the contents of the memory card 17 to the transfer memory 21. Next, the CPU 2 starts the operation of detecting the current position. Hereinafter, a method for detecting the current position will be described.

The cellular telephone unit 20 communicates by communicating with the nearest wireless base station, and the cellular telephone unit 20 frequently communicates with the nearest wireless base station.
It transmits its own identification signal (ID number) to the wireless base station.
As a result, a plurality of radio base stations and individual cellular telephone units 20 are associated with each other and registered in the upper station.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication network. In the figure, reference numeral 20A denotes a cellular telephone, which corresponds to the cellular telephone section 20 in FIG. Reference numeral 30 denotes a radio base station that communicates with the cellular telephone 20A.
In the case of a cellular telephone, the communicable area of each radio base station 30 is about several hundred meters. A plurality of these radio base stations 30 are collectively connected to the radio network controller 31. Each radio network controller 31 is connected to the mobile telephone exchange 32. The mobile telephone exchange 32 is connected to the control office 33. In the network configured in this manner, the radio base station 30 communicating with the cellular telephone 20A is specified and registered in the control station 33. On the other hand, the identification number of the communicating wireless base station 30 is stored in the cellular telephone 20A.

Therefore, when a call is made to the other party's cellular telephone 20A, the nearest wireless base station 30 is searched based on the identification number of the other party's cellular telephone, and the line with the searched wireless base station 30 is established. Connect to the wireless base station 30
Calls the other party's cellular phone and a communication call is made.
The cellular telephone 20A always receives radio waves from the radio base station 30, but does not perform radio communication unless called by its own identification number.

As described above, since the cellular telephone 20A is always associated with the nearest wireless base station 30, the current position of the cellular telephone 20A is determined based on the position of the fixed wireless base station 30 with which the communication partner is fixed. Can be almost specified. That is, when a certain cellular telephone 20A communicates with the wireless base station 30 installed at the point A as the nearest base station, the cellular telephone 20A is located within the base station area of the point A among the multiple installed wireless base stations 30. It can be determined that 20A is located.

Returning to the description of the block diagram of FIG. The CPU 2 that has started the operation of detecting the current position obtains a recognition signal of the nearest wireless base station 30 from the time division multiple access control unit 25. The CPU 2 that has obtained the recognition signal of the wireless base station 30 determines its current position. Then, the destination registration memory 2
2 is searched, and from the list of destinations stored in the destination memory 22, the nearest destination (a personal computer connected to a telephone line or an access point of personal computer communication)
Phone number or ID number. By shortening the connection distance, line usage charges (call charges) can be saved.

Next, the CPU 2 stores the selected telephone number (or ID number) in the tone ringer section 23 in the PCM codec.
To send a telephone number signal to start a line connection operation. Here, when the other party does not appear after a certain time, the next closest place is selected from the destination list stored in the destination registration memory 22.
Start the operation to connect the line.

When the line is connected, the CPU 2 sends the image data stored in the transfer memory 21 to the time division multiple access control unit 25, and starts transferring the image data. The image data output from the time division multiple access control unit 25 enters the modem 26, is modulated, and is wirelessly transferred from the wireless unit 27 to the adjacent wireless base station 30 via the antenna 28. Upon receiving the wireless transmission data, the wireless base station 30 transfers the data to the destination. If the other party is a personal computer, the image data will be sequentially stored in a hard disk device attached to the personal computer.

When the image data is transmitted from the time division multiple access control unit 25, information on the current position of the information transmission apparatus can be additionally transmitted. The case of wireless transmission of image information obtained by a digital still video camera has been described above. In the present invention, since the cellular telephone unit 20 is attached, it can be used as a cellular telephone. In this case, when calling the other party, the input unit 3
Enter the other party's phone number from. This phone number is PC
It is transmitted from the M codec / tone ringer unit 23 to the destination. The other party's telephone number is sent to the wireless base station 30 via the ADPCM conversion unit 24 → the time division multiple access control unit 25 → the modem 26 → the wireless unit 27 → the antenna 28.

When receiving the telephone number of the other party, the wireless base station 30 sends the telephone number to a switching center via a line. At the exchange, a line is connected to the destination telephone number. As a result, a line is connected between the cellular telephone unit 20 and the other party's telephone (either a normal telephone or a cellular telephone). When voice is transmitted from the cellular telephone unit 20 to the other party, the voice is input from the microphone 23a. PCM codec / tone ringer part 23
Converts an input audio analog signal into a digital signal.

This audio signal is signal-compressed by the ADPCM conversion unit 24 and then sent to the modem 26 via the time division multiple access control unit 25 for modulation. The output of the modem 26 is wirelessly transmitted from an antenna 28 via a wireless unit 27.

On the other hand, the audio signal transmitted from the other party is received by the antenna 28 and enters the modem 26 via the radio unit 27. The voice signal demodulated by the modem 26 is transmitted to the ADPCM conversion unit 24 via the time division multiple access control unit 25.
And is restored to the original signal. The restored audio digital signal enters the PCM codec / tone ringer unit 23, is restored to an analog audio signal by the codec unit, and is output as audio from the speaker 23b.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of image transfer in the first embodiment. First, the memory card interface 18 checks whether the memory card 17 has an unrecorded area (S1). If there is, the operation of writing image information to the memory card 17 is continued. When there is no unrecorded area, the memory card interface 18 notifies the CPU 2 of the fact. CPU2
Upon receiving this notification, a warning sound is generated from the speaker 23b (S2).

Next, the CPU 2 controls the memory card interface 18 to transfer the image information in the memory card 17 to the transfer memory 21 (S3). Next, CPU2
Receives the recognition signal of the nearest wireless base station 30 (S4). With this recognition signal, the CPU 2 can recognize where it is. When the location of the user is known, the CPU 2 searches the destination registration memory 22 and selects the nearest destination from the destination list (S2).
5).

Next, the CPU 2 sends the destination telephone number (or the ID number of the destination in the case of personal computer communication).
Is transmitted from the wireless unit 27 (S6). Then, it is checked whether the line is connected (S7). When the line is connected, the image information stored in the transfer memory 21 is transmitted (S9). If the line is not connected, the next closest partner is selected (S8), and the telephone number of the destination is transmitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 except that there is no transfer memory for temporarily storing image data as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, in this embodiment, when image data is transmitted, the data read from the memory card 17 is transmitted as it is. The operation of the device configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the memory card interface 18
Checks whether there is an unrecorded area in the memory card 17 (S1). If there is, the operation of writing image information to the memory card 17 is continued. When there is no unrecorded area, the memory card interface 18 notifies the CPU 2 of the fact. Upon receiving this notification, the CPU 2 generates a warning sound from the speaker 23b (S2).
2).

Next, the CPU 2 operates the nearest wireless base station 3.
A recognition signal of 0 is received (S3). With this recognition signal, the CPU 2 can recognize where it is. When the location of the user is known, the CPU 2 searches the destination registration memory 22 and selects the nearest destination from the destination list (S4).

Next, the CPU 2 transmits the destination telephone number from the wireless unit 27 (S5). Then, it is checked whether the line is connected (S6). When the line is connected, the image information stored in the memory card 17 is read out via the memory card interface 18 and transmitted (S8). If the line is not connected, the next closest partner is selected (S7), and the telephone number of the destination is transmitted.

Next, the outer shape of the device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the device of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, it has a box-shaped rectangular parallelepiped shape.
(A) is a front view, (b) is a rear view. In the figure,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a key group including a numeric keypad and function keys as an input unit, 5 denotes a photographing lens, 6 denotes a finder, 6a
Is a finder eyepiece, 7 is a release, 8 is a strobe, 9 is a built-in battery, 23a is a microphone, and 23b is a speaker. (A) shows a state when used as a digital still video camera, and (b) shows a state when used as a cellular phone.

It is easier to use the camera if the functions are concentrated in the center and the functions are concentrated on both ends as a telephone. Therefore, the photographing lens 5 and the finder 6 are arranged at the center of the front of the camera, and the strobe 8 is arranged at the end. In addition, a microphone 23a and a speaker 23b are arranged at both ends of a portion used as a cellular phone on the back. Thus, when the camera is used as a cellular phone, the lens 5 does not touch the cheek and therefore does not stain the lens 5. Further, by moving the lens 5 toward the speaker 23b from the center, it is possible to prevent the lens 5 from being touched by hand.

As described above, the speaker 23b emits a warning sound when used as a camera, and functions as a telephone speaker when used as a cellular phone. Also,
For the warning sound, increase the volume and suppress the volume. For the above function, the release 7 is arranged on the side surface on the microphone 23a side so as not to cover the speaker 23b by hand. The built-in battery 9 is heavy and takes up space among the parts of the apparatus. For this purpose, the battery 9 is placed on the side where the release 7 and the microphone 23a are arranged. This is because the side where the release 7 and the microphone 23a are arranged has a space for disposing the battery 9. In addition, there is an advantage that the center of gravity of the apparatus is more stable when the center of gravity is on the release 7 side, and the telephone is more stable when the center of gravity is on the lower side, that is, on the microphone 23a side.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the external configuration of the apparatus of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The device shown in the figure also has a box-shaped rectangular parallelepiped shape. This embodiment is used as a horizontal device.
The photographing lens 5 is disposed at the center of the side, and the microphone 23a
And the speaker 23b are arranged at both ends of the box. In this case, placing the battery 9 on the relays 7 and the microphone 23a side is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, but the finder 6 is arranged on the speaker 23b side. Further, the release 7, the microphone 23a and the speaker 23b are provided on the same plane. By adopting such a configuration, operability when used as a cellular phone and when used as a digital still video camera is improved.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the external configuration of the apparatus of the present invention. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the release 7 is provided on one plane, and the microphone 23a, the speaker 23b, and the key group 3 are provided on the opposite plane. Even with such a configuration,
A device with good operability can be realized.

FIG. 10 is a view showing another example of the external configuration of the apparatus of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. This embodiment also has a box-shaped rectangular parallelepiped shape.
The case where the microphone 23a, the speaker 23b, and the photographing lens 5 are on the same surface is shown. Therefore, the same surface is used for both a cellular phone and a digital still video camera. (A) shows the case where the camera is used as a digital still video camera, and (b) shows the case where the camera is used as a cellular phone. In this embodiment, the key group 3 is opened and closed freely by a plate 40.
Is formed on. The release 7 is provided on the side surface.

When the microphone 23a, the speaker 23b, and the photographing lens 5 are on the same surface, the photographing lens 5 may touch the cheek when used as a cellular phone.
When used as a cellular phone, the photographing lens 5 is used with the plate 40 on which the key group 3 is placed as shown in FIG. When used as a digital still video camera, the plate 40 on which the key group 3 is mounted is lifted and released, and the photographic lens 5 is used, as shown in FIG.

At this time, by arranging the strobe 8 on the back surface of the plate 40, space efficiency is improved, and since the strobe 8 is separated from the photographing lens 5, so-called "red eye (a person's eye looks red) at the time of strobe shooting. Phenomenon) "is less likely to appear. The relative positional relationship between the battery 9, the microphone 23a, and the release 7 is the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, and the speaker 23b and the microphone 23a are arranged at both ends of the surface.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another example of the external structure of the apparatus of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. These embodiments show a case where the apparatus is used as a vertical apparatus. Each of them has a box-shaped rectangular parallelepiped shape. The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 shows a case where the photographing lens 5 is arranged on the rear surface (the surface opposite to the surface on which the speaker 23b and the microphone 23a are arranged).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 shows a case where the taking lens 5 and the finder 6 are arranged on the side. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the battery 9 is arranged at the lower part of the apparatus, that is, on the microphone 23a side, and the center of gravity is lowered so as to be stable when used as a cellular phone. In each of these embodiments, the release 7 is disposed on the upper side surface in order to facilitate use as a vertical device.

In the above description, the case where a cellular phone is used as a mobile phone is taken as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any type of mobile phone may be used. . Further, in the above description, a case where a digital still video camera is used as a camera is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any camera that can record image information as digital data can be used. Such kind of camera may be used.

[0050]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the digital still video camera unit and the portable telephone unit are connected to a common bus so that the two units are fused and one control unit is used. Since the operation of both the digital still video camera unit and the mobile phone unit is controlled, the image information captured by the digital still video camera unit can be easily transmitted wirelessly to a remote location using the mobile phone unit as necessary. Can be. Therefore, it is not necessary to store all the image information in the memory card, and it is not necessary to carry a plurality of memory cards for image recording, and a portable information transmission device can be realized. Moreover, since these controls are performed by a single control unit, compared to a case where a control unit for controlling the digital still video camera unit and a control unit for controlling the mobile phone unit are separately provided, two control units are provided. There is no need to exchange or synchronize data between them, which simplifies control and leads to cost reduction and weight reduction.

Further, according to the present invention, when photographing progresses and there is no more unrecorded area in the recording section, a warning sound is output,
Since the image information recorded in the recording unit is dealt with by wireless transmission to the wireless base station, useless photographing can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication network.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of image transfer according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of image transfer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an external configuration of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the external configuration of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the external configuration of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the external configuration of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing another example of the external configuration of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the external configuration of the device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bus 2 Control part 10 Digital still video camera part 20 Cellular telephone part (cellular telephone part)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/225 H04B 7/26 M 7/14 109M

Claims (4)

[Claims] A digital still video camera unit having a photographing unit for converting an optical image into electric image information, a recording unit for recording the electric image information photographed by the photographing unit as digital data, and a wireless communication function. A mobile phone unit having the digital still video camera unit and a bus to which the mobile phone unit is connected in common; and a control unit connected to the bus. Controlling the operation of the video camera unit and controlling the operation of the mobile phone unit, and at least controlling wirelessly transmitting image information obtained by the digital still video camera unit from the mobile phone unit to a remote location. Characteristic information transmission device. 2. The information transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one control unit controls the mobile phone unit in response to the presence or absence of an unrecorded area of the recording unit. 3. The information transmission apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the corresponding control in the mobile phone unit is output of a warning sound in the mobile phone unit. 4. The information according to claim 2, wherein the corresponding control in the mobile phone unit is wireless transmission of the electrical image information recorded in the recording unit to a wireless base station. Transmission equipment.